Sapling planted by KCR yielding flowers for Chilkur Balaji

October 4, 2017, 10:48 PM IST

The sapling that Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao planted two years ago as part of the Haritha Haram program, has grown into a full fledged tree now and its leaves and flowers are being used regularly in the Puja of Sri Venkateswara Swamy of the Chilkur Balaji Temple. It was also helping to provide a good share and balancing the environmental balance.

The aim of the CM was that saplings should be planted and protected in the places of worships like Churches, Temples, Mosques as well as in the forest lands, residential areas and other habitations. The CM had launched the Haritha haram program on July 3, 2015. The CM performed special puja at Sri Venkateswara temple in Chilkur along with his wife. The CM also planted a Sampangi (The Gold Flower, Champak) sapling on the temple premises. The plant has become a full-grown tree and is giving flowers and leaves. In the daily puja to the Lord in the Sanctum sanctorum, flowers and leaves of this tree are being used. Ever since the CM planted the sapling, the temple priests have ensured that it was watered regularly and they took care of the plant. The flowers and leaves are used in the Archana. The saplings planted by other ministers and dignitaries that day have also become full bloom trees. The Forest department officials are also helping these trees grow and bloom.

Chilkur Balaji Temple chief priest Dr Rangarajan said it was great feeling for them to use flowers and leaves in Archana from a sapling planted by the Chief Minister. He said a tree guard was provided for the Sampangi tree. Since it was planted by the Chief Minister, even the devotees have a special respect to the tree and were getting inspired. He said, in response to the CM’s call, saplings were planted in several temples and other places of worship in the State. Rangarajan said the trees and plants in Chilkur are also spreading aroma all around. He said everyone should take inspiration from this and plant saplings in the temples and nourish them. Rangarajan said Haritha Haram program was a good example of God having grace on good attempts made by the humans. (NSS)